FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When considering adopting an older child (age two and up), which countries are best?

Bulgaria, China, Philippines, Colombia and the Oregon Waiting Child Program (Oregon residents only) are the best options for adopting an older waiting child.

Can we contact current or past AGCI families?

Yes! One of the best ways to learn about working with AGCI is to contact our families. These families offer adoption wisdom and travel experiences that help prospective adoptive families. Please contact us by filling out the form below, to connect with AGCI adoptive families.

What distinguishes AGCI from other agencies?

AGCI’s commitment to communication with families sets us apart. We will partner with you throughout the entire adoption process. Although exciting, this process can also be difficult. AGCI is committed to providing the necessary guidance to help you adopt a child. You will not go through this alone. You will experience our constant support during the referral and travel process.

AGCI also realizes that in this technology-driven world it means so much to talk to a person. For this reason, our first choice is to verbally communicate with families, with email as a second option. Voice communication is the best way for our staff to get to know prospective adoptive families.

We strongly encourage you to ask questions of our staff and the families who have worked with AGCI. Our mission is firmly planted in our calling: to help children find their forever families. We work hard toward this end and recognize that, although there will always be orphans to help, we can make a difference one life at a time. We love talking to families about our mission and work, so please contact us with questions by filling out the form below.

What if my family lives outside of the states where AGCI has offices (OR, IN, MI, OH, KY, TX and WA)?

Even if you do not live in one of these states, you can still adopt a child through AGCI. In fact, this is the situation for most AGCI families. You will work with a local home study agency, complete a home study, and send it to AGCI for review. The same social worker can also do the post-placement reports for your family. If you have any questions, please contact us by filling out the form below. We are happy to send you a list of referrals for current and past adoptive families who live in your state.

Can non-U.S. citizens or dual citizens adopt through AGCI?

Unfortunately, due to immigration laws, families need to have at least one parent who is a U.S. citizen to receive approval from CIS/NBC. United States citizens living in other countries are welcome to adopt through AGCI when they move back to the States.

What’s the length of time to complete an adoption?

The timeline for adopting varies depending on the country of adoption. Also a family’s openness regarding the desired age, gender and health status of a child significantly impacts the time frame of the adoption process.

What happens if I become pregnant?

We ask that families not pursue pregnancy or fertility treatments during the adoption process. AGCI believes that children need time to adjust after joining a family, whether by birth or adoption. For this reason, if a family becomes pregnant during the adoption process, AGCI will evaluate the timing of the birth versus the estimated timeframe for the adopted child to come home and your adoption may either be postponed for up to 12 months or your file may be closed.

Can I place my adoption on hold?

Situations may arise when a family is unable to proceed with their adoption process and need additional time before continuing (loss of job, etc.). Families should notify AGCI staff immediately, per the adoption service agreement, should a situation arise and request that their adoption be placed on hold. An adoption hold may be utilized one time per adoption for a period of up to 12 months. If an adoption hold is approved, and a family plans to use a full 12 month hold, AGCI requests that the family initiate a new home study or update reflecting the new situation (new job, baby, etc.) and complete expiring documents by the 12th month. This ensures the family is again able to actively participate in the adoption program. Eligibility requirements must be met in order to resume the adoption process or the adoption file could be closed.

What additional information is available?

Our inquiry team and international adoption specialists are always happy to provide additional information about All God’s Children International adoption programs. Available information includes the number of children eligible for adoption who are currently waiting for a placement referral; the number of applicants we receive each year; the number of adoption placements we have made; and the number and percentage of those placements that have disrupted or dissolved. We seek to be fully transparent about the adoption process, so you can make a well-informed choice.

Can I first find the child I’d like to adopt and then work with the agency assigned to that child?

This approach often doesn’t work out for families. Not all children waiting for adoptive families have online profiles, so you are only able to view a very limited number of children in need of a family when you just browse online. Many children with more minor medical conditions never appear on an agency’s website and often children can only be matched with a family who has their dossier logged in. Your options for a child match will be broader and your process timeframe faster if you select an agency and begin your home study and dossier paperwork before identifying a child you wish to adopt. Also, families with a completed home study that approves them for a certain child profile (age, gender, special needs) are given preference by adoption agencies.